Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 68.35
Liaison Jessica Bast
Submission Date Aug. 9, 2022

STARS v2.2

North Carolina State University
OP-9: Landscape Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 2.00 Jessica Bast
Sustainability Program Coordinator
University Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Total campus area:
4,820 Acres

Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds:
Area (double-counting is not allowed)
Area managed organically, without the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, fungicides and herbicides 5 Acres
Area managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that uses selected chemicals only when needed 1,195 Acres
Area managed using conventional, chemical-based landscape management practices 0 Acres
Total area of managed grounds 1,200 Acres

If the total area of managed grounds is less than the total campus area, provide:

A brief description of any land excluded from the area of managed grounds:
Lake Raleigh Woods Natural area, Lake Wheeler Farms and Labs (operated by Lake Wheeler staff), Reedy Creek, and Schenk Forest.

Organic program

Percentage of grounds managed organically:
0.42

If reporting an organic program, provide:

A brief description of the organic landscape management program:
Utilize organic compost and tea compost from the University's Compost Site and Research Cooperative to fertilize turf and grounds. Utilize mulch made of tree and leaf debris from campus. Horticulture vinegar is used in some applications for weed control.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program 

Percentage of grounds managed in accordance with an IPM program:
99.58

If reporting an IPM program, provide:

A copy of the IPM plan or program:
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A brief description of the IPM program:
NC State's Integrated Pest Manage Program is based on Grounds Management’s Integrated Vegetation and Pest Management Policy (IVMP). It sets forth the purpose, principles, regulatory compliance, and roles and responsibilities. IVMP stipulates vegetation and pests be managed by:
- Utilizing an ecological approach that minimizes the risk to human health and the environment.
- Considering the community values in establishing standards of maintenance for NC State’s facilities.
- Minimizing the use of pesticides to minimize the negative impacts on non-target organisms.
- Best preserves natural or manage ecosystems.

Optional Fields 

A brief description of the institution's approach to plant stewardship:
NC State utilizes native and non-invasive plants whenever possible. Grounds Services propagates a portion of plants in the campus greenhouse and overwinters tropicals. Rejuvenation practices and proper horticulture techniques for plant longevity and plant health are used. NC State also used wildflower seeds and features pollinator gardens.

A brief description of the institution's approach to hydrology and water use:
Plant landscapes that thrive in the local climate are used to reduce the need for excessive watering; native plants are the priority. NC State also utilizes soil amendments to assist with percolation and rain water cisterns for watering. Excess water is also captured from green roofs for other purposes.

A brief description of the institution's approach to landscape materials management and waste minimization:
Landscape projects are carefully reviewed and cost/material are evaluated and planned to purchase and use the right amount of materials. Existing landscape is evaluated to "work load" the proper amount of supplies necessary to prevent a shortage or excess.

A brief description of the institution's approach to energy-efficient landscape design:
NC State utilizes shade trees throughout campus. Approximately 10,000 trees are inventoried on campus. NC State also has green roofs on 5-6 buildings throughout campus.

A brief description of other sustainable landscape management practices employed by the institution:
Multiple university committees and management units are involved in the construction and renovation of campus buildings. Planned landscape additions associated with new buildings or major renovations are reviewed. Smaller landscape renovations are team reviewed by Office of the University Architect, Design and Construction Services, Grounds Management, and other departments as necessary.

Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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